![Portrait of Professor Eugene Bourdon](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Portrait_of_Professor_Eugene_Bourdon.jpg)
Eugene Bourdon (16 July 1870 – 1 July 1916) was a Professor of Architectural Design at the
Glasgow School of Art
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA; gd, Sgoil-ealain Ghlaschu) is a higher education art school based in Glasgow, Scotland, offering undergraduate degrees, post-graduate awards (both taught and research-led), and PhDs in architecture, fine art, an ...
, and was influential in the development of architectural thinking and education in Glasgow in the early 20th century.
Early life and education
Bourdon was born in Paris on 16 July 1870. He was educated at the
Condorcet Lycee, and received his Bachelier-des-lettres in 1888. Following this, he studied at the
Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris as a pupil of the Atelier Daumet where he obtained the Diploma (ADFG). While at the Ecole he obtained medals in Architecture Decoration and Drawing, culminating in a medal at the 1896 salon.
Work and influence
Following graduation, he went to work for the French Government as an inspector for the
Exposition Universelle of 1900. A collection of photographs taken by Bourdon around this time show architectural exteriors and interiors of churches and other historical buildings in Italy and France. Back of photographs have stamp "Eugene Bourdon, Architecte, Diplome par le Gouvernement". Around this time he worked on the
Grand Palais for
Charles Girault
Charles-Louis Girault (27 December 1851 – 26 December 1932) was a French architect.
Biography
Born in Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire, he studied with Honoré Daumet at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He received the first Pr ...
.
In 1900 Bourdon travelled to New York working there on the elevations and interiors of a skyscraper but information on whom this was for and what else he actually designed is lacking.
He returned to France where he found work as an assistant to
Professor J L Pascal. Professor Pascal was invited to Glasgow by the Governors of the
Glasgow School of Art
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA; gd, Sgoil-ealain Ghlaschu) is a higher education art school based in Glasgow, Scotland, offering undergraduate degrees, post-graduate awards (both taught and research-led), and PhDs in architecture, fine art, an ...
and asked to report on architectural education in the city. Professor Pascal was unable to travel but sent in his place his assistant, Bourdon. Bourdon made his report, suggested minor modifications of the curriculum, and also recommend the appointment of a French-trained professor to head the new department of architecture. Asked if he himself was available Bourdon agreed to accept the post of Professor of Architectural Design in 1904. Between 1906 and 1910 Andrew Graham Henderson worked as his assistant.
Bourdon wrote that "the Beaux Arts system of architectural education consists of giving the foremost place to the Study of Design. It is assumed, as a matter of course, that the architect must have a complete training as a practical builder and as a man of business, and that he must be a man of education in a word, he must be a professional man. But these qualities, though necessary, are not sufficient to make an architect that is, an artist. Design is the proper function of the architect, and the training of young architects to design is the most important duty of architectural educators."
Bourdon introduced the
Beaux-Arts architecture
Beaux-Arts architecture ( , ) was the academic architectural style taught at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, particularly from the 1830s to the end of the 19th century. It drew upon the principles of French neoclassicism, but also incorp ...
style to Scotland building on what might be argued to be a strong commitment to classicism in Glasgow. His teaching had a considerable effect on Glasgow architecture in the 1920s and 1930s. Of him Professor W J Smith wrote that he was 'a brilliant teacher' and 'as a gentleman of France his elegance and broken English fascinated us. He was patient, conscientious and considerate, but not with a design he didn't like or with a student who didn't work. He had a happy nature and was largely instrumental in founding the School of Architecture Club to provide for the lighter side of life'.
Bourdon promoted "steel-framed Classical buildings of the American type".
Bourdon rejoined the French army for several weeks' service each summer. He obtained leave of absence to become a regular soldier in the French army when war was declared, reaching the rank of staff captain in the 78th Brigade. He was twice mentioned in Army Orders and was awarded the Croix de la Legion d'Honneur, the Croix de Guerre and the British Military Cross. He was killed at the
Battle of the Somme on the evening of 1 July 1916, before a recommendation for the rank of Chef de Bataillon could be implemented.
A memorial to Bourdon was created for the Glasgow School of Art by
Robert Anning Bell
Robert Anning Bell (14 April 1863 – 27 November 1933) was an English artist and designer.
Early life
Robert Anning Bell was born in London on 14 April 1863, the son of Robert George Bell, a cheesemonger, and Mary Charlotte Knight. He studied ...
. Bourdon is also listed on the School's World War One Roll of Honour.
The current
School of Architecture at the Glasgow School of Art is based in a building named after Bourdon.
His obituary was written by
Herbert F. Stockdale.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bourdon, Eugene
20th-century French architects
Academics of the Glasgow School of Art
1870 births
1916 deaths
Architects from Paris
French military personnel killed in World War I